Method to accelerate packet detection rule (PDR) matching and data packet processing in a user plane function (UPF) module in a communications network

A module in a communication network for processing data packets, said module comprising:

• a memory storing machine-readable instructions;
• and
• a processor for executing the machine-readable instructions such that, when the processor executes the machine-readable instructions, it configures the module to:
• receive a first data packet of a data packet flow from a network device;
• determine an instruction set for processing said first data packet;
• determine a flow key for said first data packet;
• process said first data packet according to the determined instruction set;
• receive a subsequent data packet;
• determine if a flow key of said subsequent data packet matches said flow key of said first data packet;
• and
• if yes, processing said subsequent data packet using the instruction set determined for said first data packet;
• wherein determining an instruction set for processing said first data packet comprises:
• on receiving said first data packet of said data packet flow from said network device, looking up a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session table to identify a PFCP session for said first data packet;
• using said identified PFCP session to determine a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) with a highest precedence for said PFCP session;
• and
• looking up an instruction set related to said determined PDR.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing machine-readable instructions, wherein, when the machine-readable instructions are executed by a processor of a module in a communication system, they configure the processor to:

• receive a first data packet of a data packet flow from a network device;
• determine an instruction set for processing said first data packet;
• determine a flow key for said first data packet;
• process said first data packet according to the determined instruction set;
• receive a subsequent data packet;
• determine if a flow key of said subsequent data packet matches said flow key of said first data packet;
• and
• if yes, processing said subsequent data packet using the instruction set determined for said first data packet;
• wherein determining an instruction set for processing said first data packet comprises:
• on receiving said first data packet of said data packet flow from said network device, looking up a Packet Forwarding Control Protocol (PFCP) session table to identify a PFCP session for said first data packet;
• using said identified PFCP session to determine a Packet Detection Rule (PDR) with a highest precedence for said PFCP session;
• and
• looking up an instruction set related to said determined PDR.